The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-31
EDITORS "sANCrUMs.,

Writing of editors sanctums, in the Youth's Companion, Edward Stan- wood says:
 It has resulted that, during the last few years, access to editorial rooms has been made more difficult than it used to be. In fact, it is as easy to get admitted to the presence of the presi- dent of the United States, as it is for stranger to obtain an interview with the editors-in- chief of some city jour- nals. He must send in his card and state his business, and even then he may not be admitted.
 Nothing, however, will bar out the persistent bore. The man who thrusts himself into your presence when you have given notice as plainly as possi- ble that you wish not to be disturbed, virtually picks the lock on your door, and commits trespass. Some editors are protected-partially, only-by real locks; but the bore too frequently succeeds in bullying or persuading the guards, and the door flies open before him.
 Alas that such men are lacking in reverence for the noble profession! 1! They stand ill no awe of the editor- no more than if he were hand-organ grinder. In fact, if he does not appre- ciate the good things they offer to help "fll up the paper," they may even venture to tell him that he is an "organ"-grinder.
 The conductor of very prominent American periodical once aid that if he had to choose between dealing with a knave and with bore, he infinitely preferred the former.
 "For," said he, "when you know that the man is a knave, you know where and how to be on your guard against him; but the bore l-you never can tell how he is going to attack you. He floats in space, and comes at you flying all abroad.'"
 The man who wishes to tell you how much he likes your paper, and takes half an hour to do it, is quite as unwelcome in sanctum as one who is moved to tell you that he does not think you know just how to conduct the paper, and who deYotes his half to conveying that information.
 Worse than either is the contributor the case is aggravated if the contri- button be in verse-who wishes to read to the editor what he-or she has written. Somewhere, i'll the ranks of the most objectionable bores, is the man who drops in for friendly call and only wishes to sit quietly and read the exchanges while the editor works. Works! If he were to write on the topic which is uppermost in his mind, his paper next day would have leader on the baleful effects of having stupid friends.
 There is no need of making any mystery of the editorial profession. The editor is not changed in nature by his connection with that mighty en- zine of modern times, the newspaper. He is entitled to just as much and just as little reverence as his ability and his personal qualities will win for him.
 Yet he is, usually, and he always should be, a very busy man, who needs privacy and quiet to produce the best result of the exercise of his brain. Therefore, his working room should be "sanctum" in the sense that no one should seek to enter it during working hours, unless the errand is important, is directly connected with the editors work, and cannot be post poned to less busy hour.
 Above all, if you do penetrate a sanctum with manuscript in hand, never ask the editor to hear you read 1t, unless you are extremely desirous that he shall refuse to print it.